Try This Cut Bait Prep for Springer Success

By: John Albrich

Springer season in the PNW has been much better than anticipated. With that said there’s a lot of fishing pressure out there. Having good bait is imperative for your success. All salmon are scent driven and I’m a firm believer that good bait drives springer success. Good bait means fresh sardines, herring or anchovies for your bait wrap and added scent to take your bait to the next level. With the number of anglers on the water this spring ensuring your bait stands out to the salmon is important. That’s where freshness and a scent trail is priceless.

Springer fishing is my favorite. I look forward to it each year because they are best taking salmon on the planet. Their flavor is next level. Their fat content paves the way to deliciousness. To ensure I catch one of these I take special care of my bait and go out of my way to make sure the salmon smell it.

While many anglers in the Northwest prefer herring or anchovies, sardine wrapped plugs are my go-to bait. I have confidence in sardines because they are super smelly and oily. Meanwhile, a fresh sardine is critical to success. This means you don’t want freezer burned bait. The fresher, the better.

Springer Bait Prep

Step 1: Fillet

Fillet the sardines and cut them into bait size pieces. I cut them into two-inch strips. Then place them in a Tupperware.

Step 2: Salt ‘Em

I salt the sardines because it firms up the bait and enables them to last longer. If you don’t salt them you’ll be changing baits out more frequently. Part of the reason I salt them is once I add scent later the salt sucks it into the bait quickly.

Step 3: Power Em Up

Cover the baits with Pautzke Fire Power, which is powdered krill and every angler knows salmon love krill. I make sure the top of the meat side of the sardines are coated with Fire Power.

This is something I, and many guides that I know, have been doing for years.

Step 4: Add More Scent

After sprinkling on the Fire Power I add more scent. Notice the theme here. Scent is critical to springer success. At this point with the Fire Power coated on the top of the sardines I add Atlas Mike’s Sand Shrimp Lunker Oil (This used to be called Glo Oil, which is why it says that on the bottle in the photo. This was an old jar, but all I had left.). I’ll use at least a half bottle and if I had more in stock I’d probably use a full bottle.

Step 5: Soak Up & Keep Cool

You are now done. Place the Tupperware in the fridge and let it sit overnight. During this time the scent (both the Fire Power and Sand Shrimp Oil) will blend in the with meat. By morning you’ll be ready to fish. The key is always keep the bait on ice, even if you’re in the boat. If they get warm they’ll get mushy and spoil, even if you salt them. Your sardines are now ready to be wrapped with Miracle Thread on a plug and put in the water.

Editor’s Note: Pautzke pro John Albrich is a former guide for Reel Time Fishing. He fishes annually in Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho for multiple species.